B.C. expat found dead in Mexico

A 64-year-old ex-pat from B.C. has been found dead near Manzanillo, Mexico, and early details suggest he was the victim of a horrific crime.

The body of former Vancouver Island resident Ron Lloyd Mackintosh was discovered Tuesday near Barra de Navidad, a retirement community on Mexico’s southwest coast.

Local media reports say his body was found tied to a tree, but local police would not confirm the circumstances of his death Wednesday.

The retiree was reported missing by his common-law wife on Oct. 22, and was last seen a day earlier dropping off a friend in his black Jeep Patriot with his dog.

Neither the vehicle, which had B.C. plates, nor the dog have yet been found, according to reports.

On Tuesday, a friend of the deceased posted online that Mexican police had arrested three people and were looking for one more. The individual alleged that Mackintosh was killed for his money and his Jeep.

Mackintosh moved to Mexico in 2010 after retiring as an inspector with a Parksville, B.C. engineering firm. He had taken out Mexican citizenship, and planned to live in the country permanently.

A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs said that consular services are being provided to his family and friends in Mexico and Canada.

Makintosh's death marks the second time a Canadian has perished in the area this year, following the murder of retired Salt Spring Island mechanic Robin Wood.

Wood was killed during a robbery at a home in Melaque.

With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Lisa Rossington

Photos

Ron Mackintosh was reported missing on Oct. 21. His body was reportedly found tied to a tree near Puerto Vallarta. (insidelakeside.com)